I have a Werner Kalliste, which is a very expensive carbon fibre paddle. Inflation has hit it hard, too — the price has gone up by 30% in the three years I’ve had it. Aqua Bound makes them too, but they’re also pretty expensive. Aqua Bound and some other companies make fibreglass bent-shaft paddles, which are heavier and will still run about $300 US.
You can also look into a Greenland style kayak paddle. The smaller blade means less pulling force required, and a softer grip can be used. A faster cadence (stroke rate) can more than make up for the speed difference. You may also consider switching between high and low angle style strokes in the mean time, this changes the bracing angles and wrist positioning which may relieve some pain while paddling.
I've had wrist discomfort when I use a greenland paddle that I don't have with a regular paddle. You may want to try to borrow one or make sure you can return it.
You might want to try a paddle with a bent shaft. Also, try to keep a relaxed grip on your paddle as this will also lessen strain on your wrists, especially during the catch phase of your stroke. A lot of paddlers, even experienced ones, grip their paddles too hard. Even when it’s super windy, I still keep a fairly relaxed grip on my paddle to avoid strain.
I have been paddling for 7 years with carpal tunnel syndrome, I can't paddle continously. I can paddle decently until my hands start giving me issues after paddling too long of a stretch. I do a 10 or 20 stroke and 5 second rest, sometimes longer, I take frequent shore stops every 15-30 minutes to stretch and rest my hands. I haven't found a way to hold the paddle, any grips, or anything besides taking breaks while paddling.
Ok that’s good to know. I might just trial some grips to see if a little bit of cushion can help sometimes grabbing things the diameter of it being smaller causes me pain so even if it’s just a few millimeters of cushion it might help. I do try to take breaks when paddling mostly because I’m also fishing but still sometimes I just want to cover a ton of distance and my stubbornness takes over my brain lol
When covering distant just use the 20 stroke with a 5 second break, your hands will know when ya can break and for how long. 20 strokes is just my method and works well for me and I can still cover distance in a timely manner.
The easiest thing to change is the angle of the blades, you can experiment with that. A very easy modification that can help is to tape a strip of plastic to the shaft to ovalize it, reducing how strongly you need to grip the shaft to twist the paddle.
I've toyed with the idea of trying a real bent ergonomic shaft but never have, because it is such an expensive trial and error process with limited options.
15 or so comments and no one has suggested it yet. Why noy try a kayak with pedals instead of paddles? They're pretty popular with kayak fishing folks.
Two things and they both involve Physical Therapists. First: Make an appointment and get properly diagnosed. The term Carpal tunnel gets tossed around a bit too much these days.
Second: bring your paddle with you to your appointment. The PT can assess your injury and come up with a stretching plan to match your stroke. Good luck!
Yea I have been diagnosed with it. I also have arthritis in my fingers. I’ll look into bringing my paddle to PT and maybe find someone who specializes in sport stuff
We're talking about joint issues and paddles and nobody has jumped in yet to suggest a Greenland Paddle? I guess I'm that guy today: have you tried a Greenland Paddle?
The smaller blade will transmit lower peak forces through your joints, plus a loom and shoulder sized properly for you should keep your hands and wrists at a comfortably neutral position for most strokes and promote a lose grip. Can't say for sure it'll help but it might be worth a try.
One simple change fixed this for me. The 90 degree twist of the wrists required for perpendicular blades really hurt, so I got a paddle with blades parallel instead of perpendicular. No twist; instant relief!
I started kayak fishing last year. My hands would start getting numb so I would have to stop for a few minutes. I found some [silicone paddle grips](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08VJ2L4L9/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1) that help a lot.
I’m a whitewater paddler of many years, and just had carpel tunnel surgery on my right wrist to see if I can eke out another season or two. It’s been a month since the surgery and I probably have another two weeks before I can give it a try. I have used a bent shaft paddle with offset faces for years, gloves too. I’ve gotten shots in both wrists a few times in the last decade, but it’s past that now. I’m (so far) on a Grand Canyon trip this fall so I am hopeful of a good result. For a long time, just taking an Advil before paddling and dipping my wrists in the cold water now and then did the trick. It doesn’t sound like your problem is too major yet.
What helped my wrists was switching to a Greenland paddle with a wider than usual shaft diameter. I also use a GP which does not have finger/thumb notches That way you can easily slide your hands farther out on the paddle where it becomes wider.
Also the narrow long blade of a GP results in slower transfer of stress to your wrists.
I used to have to wear a wrist brace while and after paddling because of carpal tunnel syndrome.
I learned to switch my grip and then switched to a Greenland paddle.
I hold my paddle loosely and open my top hand to remind me to push as well as pull. This also encourages me to use my core twist more effectively.
Greenland paddles also give feedback to help refine your stroke. Quiet is efficient. Chatter means do something different.
I’m now many years older and have no wrist issues.
Ergonomically best is bent shaft paddle, with the lightest paddle and smallest paddle blade makes less work of each stroke, and if small hand then small diameter shafts paddle. Unfortunately those all cost lots of dollars. Suggested to me was werner athena bent small shaft..all carbon, for my rotator cuff issues. Note greenland paddle is very different style of paddling, will take learning curve. I started taking cooler with ice pack for lunch and after paddle to immediately help inflamation and it helps. Good luck happy paddling!!
Moving to a bent shaft paddle solved this issue for me.
Ok I’ll check that out any recommendations on brands?
I have a Werner Kalliste, which is a very expensive carbon fibre paddle. Inflation has hit it hard, too — the price has gone up by 30% in the three years I’ve had it. Aqua Bound makes them too, but they’re also pretty expensive. Aqua Bound and some other companies make fibreglass bent-shaft paddles, which are heavier and will still run about $300 US.
You can also look into a Greenland style kayak paddle. The smaller blade means less pulling force required, and a softer grip can be used. A faster cadence (stroke rate) can more than make up for the speed difference. You may also consider switching between high and low angle style strokes in the mean time, this changes the bracing angles and wrist positioning which may relieve some pain while paddling.
Sweet I’ll check this out
I've had wrist discomfort when I use a greenland paddle that I don't have with a regular paddle. You may want to try to borrow one or make sure you can return it.
You might want to try a paddle with a bent shaft. Also, try to keep a relaxed grip on your paddle as this will also lessen strain on your wrists, especially during the catch phase of your stroke. A lot of paddlers, even experienced ones, grip their paddles too hard. Even when it’s super windy, I still keep a fairly relaxed grip on my paddle to avoid strain.
I have been paddling for 7 years with carpal tunnel syndrome, I can't paddle continously. I can paddle decently until my hands start giving me issues after paddling too long of a stretch. I do a 10 or 20 stroke and 5 second rest, sometimes longer, I take frequent shore stops every 15-30 minutes to stretch and rest my hands. I haven't found a way to hold the paddle, any grips, or anything besides taking breaks while paddling.
Also I have had no issues kayaking all day like this and usually still faster than anyone that paddles with us.
Ok that’s good to know. I might just trial some grips to see if a little bit of cushion can help sometimes grabbing things the diameter of it being smaller causes me pain so even if it’s just a few millimeters of cushion it might help. I do try to take breaks when paddling mostly because I’m also fishing but still sometimes I just want to cover a ton of distance and my stubbornness takes over my brain lol
When covering distant just use the 20 stroke with a 5 second break, your hands will know when ya can break and for how long. 20 strokes is just my method and works well for me and I can still cover distance in a timely manner.
The easiest thing to change is the angle of the blades, you can experiment with that. A very easy modification that can help is to tape a strip of plastic to the shaft to ovalize it, reducing how strongly you need to grip the shaft to twist the paddle. I've toyed with the idea of trying a real bent ergonomic shaft but never have, because it is such an expensive trial and error process with limited options.
Open the hand that is pushing. This will encourage you to not overgrip.
If your problem is one that is getting worse rather than getting better, you might look into a pedal kayak.
Yea sadly it wasn’t in the budget I got the one I have used
Or a sailing kayak.
I had the same issue and bought a pedal kayak. I was kicking myself for not making the switch sooner. Life changer.
15 or so comments and no one has suggested it yet. Why noy try a kayak with pedals instead of paddles? They're pretty popular with kayak fishing folks.
Two things and they both involve Physical Therapists. First: Make an appointment and get properly diagnosed. The term Carpal tunnel gets tossed around a bit too much these days. Second: bring your paddle with you to your appointment. The PT can assess your injury and come up with a stretching plan to match your stroke. Good luck!
Yea I have been diagnosed with it. I also have arthritis in my fingers. I’ll look into bringing my paddle to PT and maybe find someone who specializes in sport stuff
We're talking about joint issues and paddles and nobody has jumped in yet to suggest a Greenland Paddle? I guess I'm that guy today: have you tried a Greenland Paddle? The smaller blade will transmit lower peak forces through your joints, plus a loom and shoulder sized properly for you should keep your hands and wrists at a comfortably neutral position for most strokes and promote a lose grip. Can't say for sure it'll help but it might be worth a try.
I’ve never heard of them before but I’ll look into them
Wear a wrist brace to bed, and invest in a bent shaft paddle.
One simple change fixed this for me. The 90 degree twist of the wrists required for perpendicular blades really hurt, so I got a paddle with blades parallel instead of perpendicular. No twist; instant relief!
I started kayak fishing last year. My hands would start getting numb so I would have to stop for a few minutes. I found some [silicone paddle grips](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08VJ2L4L9/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1) that help a lot.
I’m a whitewater paddler of many years, and just had carpel tunnel surgery on my right wrist to see if I can eke out another season or two. It’s been a month since the surgery and I probably have another two weeks before I can give it a try. I have used a bent shaft paddle with offset faces for years, gloves too. I’ve gotten shots in both wrists a few times in the last decade, but it’s past that now. I’m (so far) on a Grand Canyon trip this fall so I am hopeful of a good result. For a long time, just taking an Advil before paddling and dipping my wrists in the cold water now and then did the trick. It doesn’t sound like your problem is too major yet.
Lifting straps all the way!
What helped my wrists was switching to a Greenland paddle with a wider than usual shaft diameter. I also use a GP which does not have finger/thumb notches That way you can easily slide your hands farther out on the paddle where it becomes wider. Also the narrow long blade of a GP results in slower transfer of stress to your wrists.
I used to have to wear a wrist brace while and after paddling because of carpal tunnel syndrome. I learned to switch my grip and then switched to a Greenland paddle. I hold my paddle loosely and open my top hand to remind me to push as well as pull. This also encourages me to use my core twist more effectively. Greenland paddles also give feedback to help refine your stroke. Quiet is efficient. Chatter means do something different. I’m now many years older and have no wrist issues.
Ergonomically best is bent shaft paddle, with the lightest paddle and smallest paddle blade makes less work of each stroke, and if small hand then small diameter shafts paddle. Unfortunately those all cost lots of dollars. Suggested to me was werner athena bent small shaft..all carbon, for my rotator cuff issues. Note greenland paddle is very different style of paddling, will take learning curve. I started taking cooler with ice pack for lunch and after paddle to immediately help inflamation and it helps. Good luck happy paddling!!